Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Wisdom’s Call

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Saying 21

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;

Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding.

Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; those of high rank will die of hunger and the common people will be parched with thirst.

He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

For he says: “‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.

Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”